Mets at MLB trade deadline: What they've done so far and moves they can still make

NEW YORK — For the Mets, the eve of the trade deadline this season has brought hope and a far different mood than 2023.

Last season, the uncertainty was palpable. The mood was jarring in the visiting clubhouse in Kansas City after trades were hatched to send away Justin Verlander, Mark Canha and Tommy Pham.

But with the trade deadline looming at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, this season's Mets have put themselves in a position to add some more intriguing pieces with a 56-50 record and currently holding a National League Wild Card spot.

"I think for the most part I think everyone's really excited because we're playing winning baseball," Pete Alonso said. "We've put ourselves in a really good position. In order to feel comfortable at the deadline, you got to be in a winning position. We've earned that. We've put ourselves in that position and we've done a great job bouncing back."

With the trade deadline in sight, here is everything the Mets have done so far and what could be next on the horizon:

Who have they gotten?

JESSE WINKER

The Mets padded their lineup late Saturday night when they brought Winker up from the Nationals in exchange for No. 18 prospect Tyler Stuart. The 30-year-old Winker was brought onboard to add a left-handed corner outfield option. In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned DJ Stewart to Triple-A Syracuse.

Winker was in the starting lineup for the first time for the Mets in right field on Monday night. In 101 games for the Nationals, mostly in left field, Winker slashed .257/.374/.419 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 51 runs and 14 stolen bases.

PHIL MATON

The Mets made one of the first trades of deadline season exactly three weeks before the final bell when they acquired the 31-year-old right-hander from the Rays for either cash or a player to be named later. They will pick up less than half of his remaining $6.5 million deal.

In seven games since joining the Mets, Maton has allowed one earned run across six innings in seven appearances while striking out seven and allowing two hits and one walk. He pitched the 10th inning of a 2-2 tie with the Braves last Friday to emerge with the win. He's lowered his ERA to 4.14 with a strong start to his Mets tenure.

RYNE STANEK

As the Mets front office continued to look to bolster their bullpen, they acquired the 33-year-old right-hander on Friday night in a trade with the Mariners, sending out No. 30 prospect, outfielder Rhylan Thomas.

Stanek brings a championship pedigree to the Mets, having played a meaningful role in the Astros' 2022 World Series title. This season, the fireballer is 6-3 with a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 39 innings. He scuffled and heard boos in his first Mets outing Sunday, allowing three earned runs on two home runs, hitting a batter and striking out one.

Moves they can still make

Grab a starting pitcher

A new need might have been uncovered midway through the Mets' Friday night game against the Braves when Kodai Senga — in his first start back from a spring shoulder injury — suffered a high-grade calf strain on a pop-up play in the sixth inning. The Mets starting rotation has been adequate while missing their ace this season but could stand to gain a starting pitcher for the top half of their rotation.

This season, while led by Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana, the Mets starting rotation is 19th in ERA and 20th in WHIP. Jose Butto remains an option to return if the Mets opt to stand pat.

Some of the top pitchers on expiring deals that could become available and provide top-end depth at a reasonable price are the Cubs' Jameson Taillon, Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt and Rockies' Cal Quantrill. The Mets are unlikely to unload the prospect capital necessary to land the White Sox's Garrett Crochet, who wants a long-term deal and comes with an unclear workload, particularly after acquiring most of their strength during last season's deadline.

Continue to fortify the bullpen

As currently constituted, the Mets have three players in their bullpen in Danny Young, Alex Young and Matt Gage, who have all spent the majority of their time in Triple-A this season.

The team also has question marks with injuries as Sean Reid-Foley works back from his second shoulder impingement, Reed Garrett is still at least a week away from his bout with nerve inflammation in his elbow and Dedniel Nunez has yet to begin a rehab progression following a forearm strain.

Stanek and Maton have certainly bolstered the unit, but the team could still benefit from more veterans, particularly a lefty after Jake Diekman was designated for assignment on Monday.

The big prize figures to be Marlins lefty closer Tanner Scott. Other names who could be moved are the Nationals' Dylan Floro and Kyle Finnegan or the Blue Jays' Trevor Richards.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mets at MLB trade deadline: What they've done so far and moves they can still make